Verhoeven is 36 years old, stands 6ft 5in, weighs 269kg, and made his name in kickboxing. He went on a 26 straight victory streak in the Glory and held their heavyweight title for years. Winning fourteen titles. A long reign built on posture, knees, and combinations thrown in with shin guards in mind. None of this translates neatly into a twelve-round championship fight scored by boxing judges who look for clean punching, standard running, and effective violence.
He won one fight. One. Against Janos Finfera, who had never won a fight. That’s the full professional boxing CV laid across from Oleksandr Usyk.
Peter Fury insists there will be no disappointment.
“People must hold it after this fight, because I’m telling you now: I won’t get to the world stage. [and] let me down, let me let down my fighter.”
He doubled down.
“My fighter is a tough fighter, so this will be a big fight. Trust me. Usyk is an amazing champion. I respect him as a boxer, and I respect him as a person.”
Then it’s close.
“And I respect Rico. So I’m going to do my job, and I’m going to enjoy it, and whatever the outcome is, that’s it.”
That’s an understatement, and it should be. Anyone who truly understands how high Usyk is knows what awaits in the ring. His footwork changes angles by inches, his toes pull react before the punches leave the shoulder, and his jab means round speed. When you send a kickboxing champion to settle that, you keep your word. You can’t sell panic.
One official defense, one boxing win, and the WBC is calling it special
The WBC has approved this by accessing its “special circumstances” clause, a useful part of the rulebook that often comes up when normal standards feel unfair.
Heavyweight title shots are usually reserved for competitors who rank and prove themselves by knocking them out. Verhoeven has nothing in boxing. The WBC decided that one pay-per-view belt against an undefeated opponent was enough preparation to be kicked out of their tournament. “Special” seems to encompass many things.
Verhoeven reportedly spent time working on his jab. Good. You will need one. Usyk’s entire heavyweight streak is built on discipline, angles, and a lead hand that keeps opponents spinning. Without a strong leading hand, you spend the night reaching for your target and hitting the air.
Kickboxing builds stamina and timing. Boxing exposes technical flaws early. A lazy jab is delivered. The square shape is spun. Miss with the lead hand and eat the counter.
The twelve championship rounds are all about ring skills and conditioning. You have to hold the position, work behind the jab, and keep your feet under you while the other man sets the traps.
What happens when Usyk starts to control the width and steps on the lead foot? How long before Verhoeven’s condition starts to show?
The size of Verhoeven will be mentioned. Tyson Fury went heavier and taller and found himself catching up to Usyk while he was eating left hands.
Verhoeven learns on the job.
He also passed on a UFC contract. That information tells you something about the business population. Boxing ring in front of the Pyramids of Giza, DAZN pay-per-view, WBC belt on the line. Payday will eclipse anything associated with his one pay-per-view boxing appearance. He didn’t get this through eliminators or rankings. He took the gift when it landed on his desk. And who would blame him?
When a heavyweight champion gives you eight figures to make sure your jab holds up under championship pressure, you’re signing a contract.
Verhoeven has never sparred with anyone close to Oleksandr Usyk’s level.
Peter Fury can strengthen the guard. It can punch a jab. He can make his man work the heavy bag with straight rights and left hooks thrown in succession. He can’t give him twenty professional boxing fights with scars to solve problems in the ring under heavy pressure.
If Verhoeven has success, it comes early, when his greatness and power are still new. Once this gets into the later rounds, it turns into a boxing lesson and a manageable night for Usyk.
Usyk is expected to leave with his belt. The real question is whether Verhoeven stays away or discovers how unforgiving elite boxing can be.
Date: May 23
Start time: 7pm ET (USA ET) / 12 am UK
Broadcast platform: DAZN PPV
Location: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Fight card: Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven (WBC heavyweight title)
